The move has sparked a row, as the Government blamed David Cameron's Conservatives for going back on a private agreement to support the change when it came to a vote. The Shadow Leader of the House, Alan Duncan, however denied this.

Freedom of information campaigners and Internet bloggers had promised to name and shame any MP who voted for the measure.

MP John Pugh said his party, the Liberal Democrats, agreed with “full transparency.”

He said the public pays MPs’ wages and should be entitled to see what they are getting for their money.

He added: “Personally, I’ve given quite full details on MP reports and I’m very comfortable with people seeing my expenses.”

The 1.2 million receipts are now expected to be published within a matter of weeks.

Southport UK Independence Party chairman Terry Durrance said he thought MPs’ expenses should be “open and above board.”

He said: “At the present time it is too easy to fiddle expenses and I feel the same as anybody else in the street – that we have a right to know.”